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II. Core Requirements
1. The institution has degree-granting authority from the appropriate
government agency or agencies.
2. The institution has a governing board of at least five members
that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution.
The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and
is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources
of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program.
The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by
organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the presiding
officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of
the board have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial
interest in the institution.
3. The institution has a chief executive officer who is not the
presiding officer of the board.
4. The institution has a clearly defined and published mission
statement specific to the institution and appropriate to an institution
of higher education addressing teaching and learning and, where applicable,
research, and public service.
5. The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide
planning and evaluation processes that incorporate systematic review
of programs and services that (a) results in continuing improvement
and (b) demonstrates that the institution is effectively accomplishing
its mission.
6. The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in
degree programs.
7. The institution
(a) offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60
semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level;
at least 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate
level; or at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent at
the post-baccalaureate level.
(b) offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of
study that includes a cohesive sequence of courses, are compatible
with its stated purpose, and are based upon fields of study appropriate
to higher education.
(c) offers undergraduate degrees, a substantial component of
which comprises a general education program at the collegiate level
that ensures breadth of knowledge and is based on a coherent rationale.
For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes
a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate
programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. Credit
hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from
each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral
sciences; and natural sciences/mathematics. The courses do not
narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific
to a particular occupation or profession.
(d) may make arrangements for some instruction to be provided
by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts
or consortia. The institution itself, however, provides instruction
for all coursework required for at least one degree program at
each level at which it awards degrees, or provides an alternative
approach to meeting this requirement. The alternative approach
is approved by the Commission on Colleges. In all cases, the institution
demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program.
8. The number of full-time faculty members is adequate to support
the mission of the institution. The institution has adequate faculty
resources to ensure the quality and integrity of its academic programs.
An applicant institution demonstrates that it meets the comprehensive
standard for faculty qualifications.
9. The institution provides and supports student and faculty
access and user privileges to adequate library collections as well
as to other learning and information resources consistent with the
degrees offered, and they are sufficient to support all educational,
research, and public service programs.
10. The institution provides student support programs and services
that promote student learning and enhance the total growth and development
of its students.
11. The institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated
financial stability, and adequate physical resources to support the
mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.
The institution provides the following financial statements: (a)
an institutional audit (as distinct from a system-wide or state-wide
audit) and management letter for the most recent fiscal year and
prepared by an independent certified public accountant or an appropriate
governing auditing agency employing the appropriate audit guide,
(b) an annual budget that is preceded by sound planning, is subject
to sound fiscal procedures, and is approved by the governing board,
and (c) a schedule of net surplus/deficit from operations.
12. An institution seeking initial or continued accreditation
conducts and integrates an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan.
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